3,383 research outputs found
Funnel control for a moving water tank
We study tracking control for a moving water tank system, which is modelled
using the Saint-Venant equations. The output is given by the position of the
tank and the control input is the force acting on it. For a given reference
signal, the objective is to achieve that the tracking error evolves within a
prespecified performance funnel. Exploiting recent results in funnel control we
show that it suffices to show that the operator associated with the internal
dynamics of the system is causal, locally Lipschitz continuous and maps bounded
functions to bounded functions. To show these properties we consider the
linearized Saint-Venant equations in an abstract framework and show that it
corresponds to a regular well-posed linear system, where the inverse Laplace
transform of the transfer function defines a measure with bounded total
variation.Comment: 11 page
Homogeneous algebras
Various concepts associated with quadratic algebras admit natural
generalizations when the quadratic algebras are replaced by graded algebras
which are finitely generated in degree 1 with homogeneous relations of degree
N. Such algebras are referred to as {\sl homogeneous algebras of degree N}. In
particular it is shown that the Koszul complexes of quadratic algebras
generalize as N-complexes for homogeneous algebras of degree N.Comment: 24 page
Community service and the hospitality curriculum
Voluntary community service and human-relations courses should be an integral part of hotel administration courses. Such courses allow students to see how their actions can affect other people, appreciate service, dismantle stereotypes, become aware of social issues and develop other skills which they can apply as members the hospitality industry. To become effective, however, these courses should first instill in students the value of initiative, self-motivation and commitment
How Europe can deliver: Optimising the division of competences among the EU and its member states
This study aims to give guidance for a better-performing EU through an improved allocation of competences between the European Union and its member states. The study analyses eight specific policies from a wide range of fields with respect to their preferable assignment. The analysis applies a unified quantified approach and is precise in its definition of âcounterfactualsâ. These counterfactuals are understood as conceptual alternatives to the allocation of competences under the status quo. As such, they either relate to a new European competence (if the policy is currently a national responsibility) or a new national competence (if the policy is currently assigned to the EU). The comprehensive, quantification-based assessments indicate that it would be preferable to have responsibility for higher education and providing farmers with income support at the national level. Conversely, a shift of competences to the EU level would be advantageous when it comes to asylum policies, defence, corporate taxation, development aid and a (complementary) unemployment insurance scheme in the euro area. For one policy â railway freight transport â the findings are indeterminate. Overall, the study recommends a differentiated integration strategy comprising both new European policies and a roll-back of EU competences in other fields
Differential inductive sensing system for truly contactless measuring of liquidsâ electromagnetic properties in tubing
Certain applications require a contactless measurement to eliminate the risk of sensorinduced sample contamination. Examples can be found in chemical process control, biotechnology or medical technology. For instance, in critically ill patients requiring renal replacement therapy, continuous inâline monitoring of blood conductivity as a measure for sodium should be considered. A differential inductive sensing system based on a differential transformer using a specific flow chamber has already proven suitable for this application. However, since the blood in renal replacement therapy is carried in plastic tubing, a direct measurement through the tubing offers a contactless method. Therefore, in this work we present a differential transformer for measuring directly through electrically nonâconductive tubing by winding the tube around the ferrite core of the transformer. Here, the dependence of the winding type and the number of turns of the tubing on the sensitivity has been analyzed by using a mathematical model, simulations and experimental validation. A maximum sensitivity of 364.9 mV/mol/L is measured for radial winding around the core. A longitudinal winding turns out to be less effective with 92.8 mV/mol/L. However, the findings prove the ability to use the differential transformer as a truly contactless sensing system. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Microscopic Origin of the Valley Hall Effect in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Revealed by Wavelength Dependent Mapping
The band structure of many semiconducting monolayer transition metal
dichalcogenides (TMDs) possesses two degenerate valleys, with equal and
opposite Berry curvature. It has been predicted that, when illuminated with
circularly polarized light, interband transitions generate an unbalanced
non-equilibrium population of electrons and holes in these valleys, resulting
in a finite Hall voltage at zero magnetic field when a current flows through
the system. This is the so-called valley Hall effect that has recently been
observed experimentally. Here, we show that this effect is mediated by
photo-generated neutral excitons and charged trions, and not by inter-band
transitions generating independent electrons and holes. We further demonstrate
an experimental strategy, based on wavelength dependent spatial mapping of the
Hall voltage, which allows the exciton and trion contributions to the valley
Hall effect to be discriminated in the measurement. These results represent a
significant step forward in our understanding of the microscopic origin of
photo-induced valley Hall effect in semiconducting transition metal
dichalcogenides, and demonstrate experimentally that composite quasi-particles,
such as trions, can also possess a finite Berry curvature.Comment: accepted for publication in Nano Letter
How geometry affects sensitivity of a differential transformer for contactless characterization of liquids
The electrical and dielectric properties of liquids can be used for sensing. Specific appli-cations, e.g., the continuous in-line monitoring of blood conductivity as a measure of the sodium concentration during dialysis treatment, require contactless measuring methods to avoid any contam-ination of the medium. The differential transformer is one promising approach for such applications, since its principle is based on a contactless, magnetically induced conductivity measurement. The objective of this work is to investigate the impact of the geometric parameters of the sample or medium under test on the sensitivity and the noise of the differential transformer to derive design rules for an optimized setup. By fundamental investigations, an equation for the field penetration depth of a differential transformer is derived. Furthermore, it is found that increasing height and radius of the medium is accompanied by an enhancement in sensitivity and precision. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
First tests of a 800 kJ HTS SMES
SMES using high critical temperature superconductors are interesting for high
power pulsed sources. Operation at temperatures above 20 K makes cryogenics
easier, enhances stability and improves operation as pulsed power source. In
the context of a DGA (Delegation Generate pour l'Armement) project, we have
designed and constructed a 800 kJ SMES. The coil is wound with Nexans
conductors made of Bi-2212 PIT tapes soldered in parallel. The coil consists in
26 superposed simple pancakes wound and bonded on sliced copper plates coated
with epoxy. The rated current is 315 A for an energy of 814 kJ. The external
diameter of the coil is 814 mm and its height 222 mm. The cooling at 20 K is
only performed by conduction from cryocoolers to make cryogenics very friendly
and invisible for the SMES users. The cooling down has been successfully
carried out and the thermal system works as designed. After a brief description
of the SMES design and construction, some tests will be presented. From a
current of 244 A, the SMES delivered 425 kJ to a resistance with a maximum
power of 175 kW.Comment: 5 page
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